by Dahlia Leigh
Centimeters away from her lips he whispered again, “Do you yield?”
“Never,” Ashlynn said then laughed and took the upper hand, flipping him over to his back. She pinned him then quickly bent her head down. Feeling a new sensual boldness, she nipped his lip. He groaned and took her mouth aggressively. Before his kiss went any further, though, Ashlynn pulled away and swiftly rolled off him, standing up with a practiced move. She had to walk away. Though she had to admit the walking away part was getting harder the more she was with any of the guys.
Taking the cue, Taegen put his weapon back on the rack when a large blast rocked the castle walls, shaking Ashlynn to her core. She gasped for breath and Taegen ran to her side and braced her arm so she didn’t fall. Her body trembled, mirroring the borders of the castle as tremors rocked the foundation.
Darien burst through the doors. “A handful of Shadow Shifters and Unbound are converging outside the castle borders. Though they didn’t cause the blast. I’m not sure what they are waiting for.”
“Let’s go find out,” Ashlynn said and grabbed a couple more weapons off the rack unsure what they faced. Following suit, Darien and Taegen did the same.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Darien
The four of them shot through the castle doors. “Edmund, catch up!” Darien shouted when he saw Edmund freeze at the sight of the Unbound and shifters outside the dome. Darien quickly surveyed the scene before them. The Unbound and those shifters with them were causing a ruckus at the border, banging against it. He found the behavior strange, even for his father to condone. He turned to Ashlynn.
“There aren’t actually that many shadows here to even make a statement. Perhaps they are here with a message from my father. The Unbound are governed by my father but can be hard to manage, and sometimes take orders a little further than they were intended.” He paused with a frown considering his words.
“What do you think he wants?” Ashlynn asked. Taegen and Edmund listened next to her.
“My father was not happy about me leaving the pack to be a part of your team, but he wants information regarding the veil to benefit the pack so he sent me. Though recently, I refused to give him any. Perhaps, if I had told you sooner and given him even the smallest bit of information, this would not be happening.” Frustrated, Darien crossed his arms at his chest. “I haven’t checked in with him since I sent the message I wouldn’t give him information. My father can be rash and would want to know what had happened to me… if I was still loyal to the pack. My guess is they are following the crazy outburst of an irrational alpha.” He glanced at Ashlynn to gauge her reaction, but as she seemed to simply listen, he continued. “I had wanted a chance to speak with you on their behalf if anything could be done, but he apparently is not willing to wait for me to have that chance.”
“I appreciate your honesty, Darien. I would have heard you out. Perhaps, we still can.” Another quake shook the ground. They all gripped onto whoever was closest to brace themselves. Ashlynn gripped her head.
“Ashlynn are you all right?” Edmund asked.
She nodded profusely. “It’s not as bad as the first time, thanks.”
Through the nearby, small, garden gnome statue with the red hat, Asteroth interrupted. His small, higher pitched voice caused Ashlynn to laugh at the absurdity of hearing him through the dumb, little statue again. The guys gave her strange looks at her oddly timed outburst.
“I’m fine, really. The gnome just strikes me funny.” She stifled another laugh.
“It was the closest statue I could find.” Asteroth grumbled under his breath then continued on. “As I was trying to warn you… something got through the border! Several somethings, in fact. If I were to wager I would guess shadows, but I’ll leave that to you to find.”
“How did they get through the dome? Never mind that now, we have to keep them out of the castle.” Ashlynn turned to run back into the castle when another quake rattled the ground. They witnessed several of the Unbound sneaking into the grounds right as the tremors happened. Ashlynn looked up and realized why.
“The tremors are shorting out the magical energy keeping the dome up. That’s how they are getting in. Smart bastards! How did they figure that out?”
“Head to the castle. I’ll handle the Unbound coming inside,” Darien instructed.
“No. We will stay and fight; to back you up if necessary. But Darien, these are your people. If you think you can try to settle them down and negotiate with them first, I offer you that chance.”
Darien relaxed the slightest fraction, feeling the hope she offered his people. He didn’t want to fight them and hoped they didn’t force his hand. “Thank you.”
He held back his shoulders and drew his sword, but kept it low at his side. He planned to speak with them first as their future alpha. Darien strode with long, great strides to reach the border before another quake hit and more Unbound or even shifters got through. His heart hurt at the idea of having to cut down any of his kind.
“Shado-Heim. Radu.” He called to one of the Unbound and his shifter friend, Radu. Darien paused a moment, sensing Rozalind’s presence but didn’t see her. His father, he noted, was also absent. Perhaps this was more of a test than an assault. “I do not want a fight on these grounds. I have been given assurance the Sentinel will hear our plea and offered me the chance to negotiate on the pack’s behalf. Please, return to the pack so that I may still approach her with good faith. She will overlook this attack on the castle this one time.”
The two he spoke with seemed hesitant, but slowly nodded, conflict etched on their faces. Darien knew the command of the alpha was a heavy weight, and they battled the decision to go against his father or not.
“I will speak with my father. This will be on me, not you.”
He seemed to be making progress. But then several other Unbound, who had snuck through the border, lunged toward Ash, intent on attacking her.
Darien spared one last glance at the two he spoke with. “Shit! No.”
In that moment, his heart chose Ashlynn over his own pack. He shifted into his shadow beast and charged toward her. His head knew Ashlynn had the ability to fight the shadows, but his heart didn’t want to let her. Taegen was also at her side and could fight the shadows being from the Void. He, too, had a connection with those from the darker side. In a flash, he observed Taegen throw out some of his fear magic against the charging shadow beasts, their eyes beginning to glow as his power took hold. Taegen’s magic would only serve to distract them momentarily as the Unbound weren’t afraid of anything but light.
Darien was almost to them. Once the Unbound realized the vision they saw wasn’t real, they quickly diverted their attacks. The Unbound saw Darien approach them and slowed their forward attack as if waiting for him to join them and take command. But when he stood at Ashlynn’s side, they roared with a harsh sound of the wind.
“You have turned sides,” one spat at him.
“No. I am trying to fight for you, but this is not the way. Retreat now, or I will have no choice.” Darien watched confusion flash across their features, but they quickly negated his offer for the fight they wanted to have. Decision made, Darien sighed. “Then we fight.”
Taegen threw Edmund one of the extra swords he had strapped to his side to Ed who nodded gratefully. They all moved in closer to Ash, arcing into a semi-circle including her in their line. Each of them fought the Unbound as they approached. Ed, the only one not truly able to fight the Unbound, called out moves and pointed out where he saw them coming from.
“I don’t have light spells ready yet, but Taegen do your magic. This time project bombs of light exploding in front of them,” Edmund said assured his idea would work.
“Good idea, Ed,” Taegen shouted then did as Ed suggested. Once the darkness settled around the Unbound, they screeched and covered their eyes almost in unison. Darien stayed out of the darkness so not to be affected as well. The Unbound reacted as if their faces had been burned with aci
d. He knew for a fact how painful the light could hurt in shadow form, and as powerful as he felt Taegen’s magic to be, he couldn’t imagine what they experienced.
“It’s working,” Ashlynn said with excitement. “They’re leaving.”
He, too, noted how effective Taegen’s maneuver was and thought they did a good thing by not having to cut down his brethren. Once the spell wore off, the Unbound turned and fled the grounds.
“This is not over, future alpha-no-more. Your father will see to it,” the Unbound said, his words gravelly and pained as if he still felt the effects of the vision he saw.
“I’m sure he will. Go in peace, Unbound. I still want the best for my pack,” Darien said. Then the Unbound shadows and whatever shifters were still outside the border retreated, as one, back into the forest outside the boundary.
“Well done, warriors,” Ashlynn proudly said. “We didn’t even have to kill anyone. And you worked pretty good together, albeit a bit wobbly.” She smiled and patted them on the backs. “I will say them staying right in front of us fighting right here seemed a bit convenient, don’t you think?”
“I agree. I wondered what they were up to as well,” Taegen said.
“I think we were being distracted while others might have gotten into the castle.”
“Then we’ll need to do a search to be sure,” Ashlynn concluded.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ashlynn
Once Ashlynn ensured Asteroth had secured the magical dome barrier, she gathered everyone in the entry to the castle and paired them off. “Taegen you go with Edmund and start at the top, working your way back down here, and Darien you come with me. We will start at the dungeon and lower levels, making our way back here as well. Search the castle for any signs of shadow shifters or Unbound creatures. They will be in shadows and possibly hard to see.” Making sure no intruders were found in the castle was her duty. The very idea they had snuck in caused rage to boil under the surface of her skin.
Taegen and Ed jogged up the stairs, taking several at a time. She and Darien headed toward the hallway which would take them downstairs where, together, they could search the castle.
“Thank you,” Darien said.
“For what?”
“For allowing me the chance to speak to my people and then again for not outright killing the Unbound for simply following my father’s irrational mandate.”
“I didn’t see a reason to if they left peacefully enough. Plus, I felt something else was going on and wanted to see it play out.” Ashlynn trailed her hand along the castle walls. She could feel more of what Asteroth felt when she touched the castle physically. Even closing her eyes, she tried to assess the state of Asteroth as they moved through the halls.
“You move seamlessly through the castle as if you are one with it—both physically and mentally in tune with Asteroth in a way I’ve not heard of.”
Ashlynn didn’t reply. Her connection to the castle—every Sentinel’s connection to the castle—was not something made public before, as far as she was aware. At some point, she would share her deep connection with her chosen but for now, she wasn’t ready to share the secret with all the guys as they wouldn’t all be staying.
Out of the corner of her eye, Ashlynn observed how Darien opened doors for her. He was watchful of not only their surroundings but also of her and her whereabouts. She didn’t think he was even aware he did so.
Without any sight of shadows, even with the power of her pendant, Ashlynn stopped at the nearest statue to ask, “Have you seen or felt any intruders in the way of shadows or otherwise, Asteroth?”
Asteroth’s presence filled the statue but his words were stuttered and disjointed. “No…pow…drain…on… own…”
Ashlynn frowned but could still feel his connection deep within her. “Asteroth?” But when he didn’t respond she frowned and looked at Darien. “I guess we are on our own for this one. Asteroth seems to be having trouble connecting his energy to the statue. The tremors must have short circuited him somehow too.”
“That’s unfortunate.” Darien frowned as well. He placed his hand at her back in a show of support.
Ashlynn had never felt the physical feeling of support before and had to admit to herself, the feeling was welcomed. Darien suddenly stopped and spun around.
“What is it?”
“Unbound. There’s one nearby.” Darien moved into stealth mode, silently stalking the Unbound as if the creature was his prey. Ashlynn followed, allowing him to take the lead. Darien found the beast slinking around a corner.
“Shado-Callun.” Darien addressed him, and the Unbound spun around with a venomous rage in his eyes. He wasn’t as large as Darien in shadow form, but the creature was still formidable. He had the same green, glowing eyes Darien did, but the bulk of his body was not as large or as defined since he didn’t also have a human form.
“You are here with her,” the Shado-Callun said as he took in Ashlynn next to Darien with disgust.
“Yes. And you are not welcome here. Leave now.”
Ashlynn felt a burst of pride hearing him stand up to one of his pack brethren for her.
“No. I’m here to get what you have refused,” Shado-Callun defiantly said. The Unbound swiftly moved with great speed and grace for such a beast. But Darien pulled out his sword with one hand, and the other shifted into shadow with his claw-like nails extended, and then reached for him. With a single swipe, Darien dispatched the Unbound creature just in time, as he was, in turn, about to swipe his own nails at Ash. The shadow burst into a pile of ashes at Darien’s feet.
Ashlynn noticed the pain of his actions on Darien’s face as he looked down at his own hands. “Darien.” She paused uncertain her words would be the right thing to say. “That was a brave decision you made, protecting me over your own. Thank you.” Ashlynn stood on her toes and offered him a quick kiss on his cheek.
In that moment, he mumbled something about how she made the decision not as hard.
Hijinx sprung down from the rafters above and leapt his way to Ashlynn via pouncing on the Darien’s head. Ashlynn giggled after Hijinx was safely on her arm.
Darien growled at the small, annoying creature, but the whirrel launched back at him with a mouth full of sharp teeth none would have guessed were stored there from his soft and cuddly appearance. Darien reared his head back in surprise then laughed so loud the noise echoed down the hall.
“Let’s keep going. We don’t know how many more there might be in the castle.”
Darien nodded but shot Hijinx a glare and barred his own teeth at him to show no fear. The whirrel chattered angrily back at him, telling him off in his own manner of speaking.
“Darien, leave my poor, little creature alone.” Ashlynn playfully rolled her eyes at him.
“He started it.”
Ashlynn pointed a finger at her beloved silly creature. “Did you scare the big bad Shadow Shifter?”
Next to her, Darien growled again beneath the surface of his chest in protest. The action only caused Ashlynn to laugh.
They continued to simply walk the castle interior and ultimately ended up outside in the gardens. Ashlynn couldn’t help but think of all the dead people who were buried under her feet and thought of the vision she had seen from the castle earlier, of the battle her family had fought and died for. The garden was supposed to bring joy and beauty to an otherwise tragic part of history, but it only saddened her.
By the time night had finally fallen, they hadn’t found anymore Unbound or shifters. “I should be able to sense if we are near one, but they are adept at hiding even from each other if necessary.”
“Let’s call it a night and see if the others found anything,” Ashlynn said as they headed back into the castle. She realized how much she enjoyed hunting through the castle and spending time with Darien. He made her feel safe and cared for with all the little details he watched out for, especially when he chose to protect her over his pack. He could have just as easily let the Unbound kill he
r, opened the veil for his father, let out all their Unbound brethren from Nightstead, and found his mother. Ashlynn’s decision between the guys was growing more difficult as the days went on, not easier. But still she would have to choose just one in the end.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Edmund
In his lab, in the middle of the night, Edmund buzzed with excitement at his discovery. He had found not only various, ancient, light spells he was pretty sure he could create, but also ways to enhance the protection of the castle. He couldn’t wait to tell Ash about what he had found.
Edmund remembered working in his lab back home when he would get excited about something he had been working on. He would be so excited to share his discoveries with his father, but then his father would tell him what he had done was the wrong kind of work for alchemy, and if he ever wanted to become as sought after as he was, then he needed to stick to the books and the work his father had laid out for him to do. He never could seem to live up to who his father wanted him to be. He just wasn’t good enough.
But in the moment, and in Asteroth Castle with Ashlynn, he began to feel himself become more of—well, himself than he had ever felt—or at least more of who he thought he might be able to be. With Ash he felt found. He felt home.
Edmund ground ingredients with a pestle and mortar, making a fine powder made of light crystal shards enhanced with a spell to be used on stones or shards of other crystals. His thought to place them around the immediate castle, and smaller areas, would add protection to specifically keep out the shadows. He pushed up his glasses from sliding off his nose and reached for another crystal.
